Recovery after new valve

[kentishbunny1]

Hi all, am awaiting an op for a removal of tumour on aortic valve which may lead to replacement valve if tumour proves tricky to remove. All very scary ! I have read on this great forum quite a bit about valves and peoples experiences in hospital but I am trying to think on the recovery now. I am expecting a tricky, uncomfortable week in hospital, no doubt highs and lows involved in that. I am wondering about when I get home after that initial week. How are people usually, can you get up and about, go for a walk, cook a meal with help lifting heavy pans,easily have a shower, barring complications of course. I am usually pretty active, age 55, have a pt job, able to do most stuff. Just wondering what to expect. Any comments appreciated from those that know. Thank you

[Hidden]

Hi kentishbunny1, I’m 62 and had my aortic valve replaced on 7th January (also double bypass) and the physiotherapist had me out of bed for a short walk the following day. I was encouraged to walk around the ward as long as I felt able to do so. I was also given breathing exercises to do. I was discharged on Saturday 12th January, just five days after surgery. I found showering quite tiring at first, but it eventually got easier.

I was able to go out walking following discharge, but just short walks at first, and increasing the distance as the weeks went by. My wife did most of the cooking during the early weeks of recovery, but now I’m doing my share!

Apart from my blood count dropping, a chest infection, and fluid still on my lung things have gone well.

I am now halfway through my rehab course, and my surgery seems a long time ago!

On the advice of hearties on this site I bought myself a v-shaped pillow, and this helped a great deal.

Hope I’ve covered everything, if not just ask!

Good luck with the AVR, if you need it.

Keith.

[kentishbunny1 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Keith, your reply has helped me, I like the sound of being up and about afterwards and short walks, all very good. Sorry to hear you had some complications but it sounds like you are doing well and great to hear that your op seems a long time ago already. Thanks again for your reply, keep well.

[Fredders]

Hi, I had my second AVR in November 2017. The hospital will want you to have someone with you for at least a week when you leave hospital. Whilst you’re in hospital the physiotherapist will have had you out of bed walking about and you will need to keep this up once you get home, but gradually increase the distance. Ideally have someone with you to start with.

Don’t lift any pans, kettles etc to start with, remember your breastbone is only held together with wires until the bone knits back together. It takes about six weeks for that to happen but can take a lot longer before the muscle pain goes. You’ll know about it if you do try to lift something too heavy - it hurts like hell!

Get yourself a v-shaped pillow or a bolster so that initially you can prop yourself up at night, as it’s difficult to get comfy. Also, make sure you take the painkillers as if you’re in pain you won’t want to move.

I was back driving, short distances, after six weeks and back at work after 12, but it will depend how physical your job is.

Hope everything goes well.

Wendy

[kentishbunny1 in reply to Fredders]

Thanks Wendy for your most helpful reply. The V shaped pillow comes up a lot so def getting one of those. Having had a knee replacement I have learn t the lesson on painkillers so will also definitely take those and keep them topped up. It is great to hear other peoples recovery stories as it makes me feel more positive about life after the op, thank you and keep well

[Fredders in reply to kentishbunny1]

Thought of a few more things, One thing you’ll definitely want whilst you’re in hospital is earplugs, it’s hard enough sleeping anyway without the noise levels. Just remember to tell the nurses on the night shift that you are using them! 😉

Lucy’s reply reminded me, practice getting up and down from your chair without using your arms, it hurts like hell if you do use them and you’ll only do it once! Also have a rolled up towel or cushion to hand to hug if you cough or sneeze, again hurts like hell but reduces the pain a bit.

Best wishes.

Wendy

[kentishbunny1 in reply to Fredders]

Thanks again Wendy, I can only get this sort of info from someone who has been through it, invaluable. I will try and break the habit of using arms when standing up from chair. Sort out the towel for rolling. I am hoping to do a sort of blog on here when I go in, I think it might help me as well as inform others, we will see, I might feel like I cant when it comes to it! Thanks again Wendy, much appreciated.

[Lucybird]

Hi Kenishbunny. I had an aortic valve replacement about 2 years ago, just after my 30th birthday. I was off work for about 7/8 weeks and then had a phased return starting with only office duty for about 4 weeks (I worked in a nursery, so a physical job). Recovery wasn't too bad, first week I couldn't do much more than make a cup of tea (if I put in enough water for just 1 cup), and I needed help in and out of the bath (I didn't shower initially because I was worried about slipping or not being able to stand for long enough). The thing which was most difficult was getting up out of the chair and finding a comfortable position in bed just because of tugging on my chest muscles. I had a pacemaker fitted too so lying on my left side was uncomfortable.

After the first week I started taking short walks with my other half, just down the high street and back (that's about 10 mins either way). The high street had a few places where I could stop and sit if I needed to. By the third week I was able to go all the way up by myself but would have a rest before coming back down. Fourth week I was getting the bus to the hospital by myself, but couldn't manage the hill so took a bit of a long route! By Easter I was fairly confident, but I did over extend myself a little by walking too fast.

Basically I'd say take it at your own pace, try and do a little more each day but don't push yourself too hard. The hospital will probably give you rehab services (mine came a bit late tbh) which will help you get back to 'normal'

Good luck

[kentishbunny1 in reply to Lucybird]

Thanks for your helpful response, hearing other peoples recovery stories really helps to know that life after op is good. I will need to stop myself from going full throttle but the pain will remind me not to do that. Thanks again for your helpful words, keep well.

[DenHump]

Hi there, I had a replacement valve on 28th November and a few purchases proved invaluable for my recovery....as has already been mentioned a V shaped pillow but add to that list a raised toilet seat and a shower stool....both I got off amazon and were not expensive but have been brilliant! We also invested in a recliner sofa (but we were due to replace the sofa anyway) and I did use this to sleep on when I first came out of hospital which helped as sleeping comfortably is a bit of a challenge. Get some loose fitting comfy tracksuits and if you are a lady a few cropped tops or sports bras, then take it slowly and steady and listen to your body and walk yourself fit. I also stocked up the freezer with lots of Marks and Spencer ready meals which were great as I just didn't fancy eating much but they proved to be just what I fancied at the time. If I think of anything else I purchased I will let you know...but please feel free to ask me any questions.

[kentishbunny1 in reply to DenHump]

Thanks for your reply. Most helpful and practical. I have already started making some portioned meals and put in the freezer for us and intend to purchase a v shaped pillow. It's these little things that you need to think of isn't it. This op is a daunting thing to be happening but hearing everyone's responses really helps to put my mind at rest. Thanks very much and keep well.

[Recoder_Bill]

Hi KentishBunny1,

I’d like to make a comment that will add something to the above but I think, really it’s all been said.

Having a valve replaced or any open heart surgery sounds horrific and strikes at the very core of our being at first sight but it’s like any other thoracic surgery, you just need to do all the sensible things the guys above have suggested. Keep moving; little and often is the key and then gradually increase at your own pace (people are different and it’s not a competition) the “little” to “a bit more” and then “a lot more”.

I had my aortic valve replaced with a mechanical valve in 1995 and to be frank the operation and the recovery process was so uneventful that I can barely remember it. I agree with Keith27 though, I found that showering was the hardest activity, it’s surprising just how much energy a shower takes. I do remember that I was so long towelling myself off that, if the room was over hot, the bit of me I’d dried a few minutes earlier was wet again due to perspiration and I had to re-dry myself!

One thing I would stress is that you do need to keep on top of the pain, if you have any, or the potential for pain. I’ve had lot of surgery over the years and I’ve learn two things:

1. It’s harder to reduce pain once you are feeling intolerable pain. So take the pain-killers regularly until you are convinced the potential to feel pain is gone, i.e. whatever is causing the pain has stopped hurting. I only found out recently (nurse at the hospital) that paracetemol works best if you take it for a period of time, the odd one-shot will have minimal effect. Hope that makes sense.

2. When you get pain don’t fight against it, relax into it. I know it sounds odd but, make friends with the pain. I actually talk to it ......... maybe I'm just insane though!

Well I hope that helps and that all goes well with you.

Regards,

Phil.

[kentishbunny1 in reply to Recoder_Bill]

Hello Phil, Thanks for your reply. Not insane at all, I have had a total knee replacement and agree that taking the pain killers regularly all the time there is potential for pain is the best approach. Also regarding making friends with the pain, I have a similar feeling about any negative events ie feeling down. You need to think that there will be times when you feel down or pain and when you do just say, "hear it is, I was expecting it" and you "own" it and cope with it better. It eventually goes and it hasnt taken you by surprise. So thanks for your wise words and encouragement. It is difficult to say just how helpful it is to be able to chat to people such as yourself on this forum, your words about your op have been very helpful, thank you and keep well.

[Ianc2]

Your hospital will probably offer you a rehab course in about 8-10 weeks after your operation, They do this to get your fitness up after your breastbone has knitted together . It is worth doing it - there is a strong link between doing it and ongoing survival. I can still remember the 'sit down, stand up' exercise.